Eustace Vernon WADE

WADE, EUSTACE VERNON (b. Digby, Vic, 8 Aug 1877; d. 21 Sept 1967). Anglican theologian.

Youngest son of William Wade and Mary Cecil, née Hardinge, E V Wade took his theological studies at Moore Theological College, Sydney under Nathaniel Jones (q.v.) and graduated with Class I honours. He was ordained deacon 1902 and priest 1903. He m. Marcia Forster on 22 Dec 1904: his wife was the daughter of William Edward Morris, registrar of the dio of Melbourne. Wade was curate of Footscray 1902-4, St Matthew's, Prahran, 1904-5, serving under J T Baglin and W T C Storrs (q.v.), both convinced evangelicals, who later were founding members of Ridley College. He was minister of Foster 1905-8, Broadmeadows, 1908-10 and rector of Benalla, 1910-1914. During this time he gained the University of London BD in 1912 and later in 1919 his BA. He and his family went to England for study and parish experience in 1915 but returned from England because of World War One in 1917. He was locum tenens at Heidelberg from 1917-18.

Wade began his main life's work as principal and chaplain of Ridley College in February 1918, a position he held until 1937. He was chaplain at Trinity College in the University of Melbourne and lecturer at the Theological Faculty from 1918-24, a time when considerable tension existed between Ridley College with its evangelical foundation and Archbishop Lowther Clarke. The tension eased markedly when the abp resigned and Archdeacon Aickin, the former principal of Ridley became vicar-general.

Through the deputation efforts of the Rev R G Nichols, Ridley was able to acquire the two-storied mansion, Cumnock, in the Avenue, Parkville in February 1921, the site of the present Ridley College. The building was made suitable for student accommodation by the builder, Clements Langford, an enthusiastic supporter of the college. Two urgent problems faced Wade and the college council during his principalship. The first was adequate student accommodation. The second was the relationship between Ridley as an independent evangelical college and the rest of the Anglican church. Additional accommodation became available with the erection of a new wing, opened on 6 May 1922. Domestic quarters and the dining room were added to Cumnock, and the adjoining paddock purchased. Further extensions were built and opened on 17 April 1926 by Bp J D Langley (q.v.).

The relationship between Ridley and the diocese was not so successful. Cordial relations existed during the episcopate of Archbishop Harrington C Lees (q.v.) because of his evangelical sympathies. The situation changed during the episcopate of Archbishop F W Head in December 1929, who wanted Ridley to be 'widened out' and to become part of provincial theological training. Wade favoured these moves provided that Ridley's evangelical principles were not compromised, but the majority of the Council were against the proposals, so the status quo remained. Wade retired from Ridley College and the active ministry at the end of 1937 to live in Upper Beaconsfield, Vic. The final decade of his life was marred by the death of his son and wife.

Melbourne Year Books and Diocesan records; L L Nash, Forward Flows the Time (Melbourne, 1960)

KEITH COLE